Now that he has a new contract in place, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is ready to get back to the business of fighting, and he’s ready to prove he’s the top 155-pounder in the world.

Melendez hasn’t set foot in the cage in nearly a year following his win over Shinya Aoki last April. Since that time, Melendez welcomed a new baby into the world and recovered from a thumb injury, but now he’s healthy and ready to dominate again.

Gilbert is definitely a good fighter, and has to be in the top 10, but let's be realistic, if you want to be ranked #1 in this day and age of MMA, you have to compete in the UFC. The PRIDE days are done, there isn't another organization that has an overall level of talent approaching the UFC's. There are some top fighters here and there in strikeforce, but at this point I don't feel like it's possible to hold a #1 rank without doing it inside of the octagon. You might be able to get up toward the top 10 or possibly even top 5, but you can't be #1 without having proven yourself against the current top guys in the UFC's divisions IMO.

I think very highly of Gilbert, but I think he's got a lot to prove. I think he's capable of beating anybody on a good night, but 155 is a tough and improving division elsewhere but Strikeforce does not have enough depth.